Step-ladder



(N0 Model.)

0. MoOOLLUM.

Step Ladder.

No. 235,165. Paten'ted Dec. 7,1880.

jwezzlor- Wnesms:

N PETERS, PHUTQUTHOGRAFHER. WASHINGTON, D C,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MATTHEW (l. MOGOLLUM, OF ESPY, PENNSYLVANIA.

STEP-LADDER.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 235,165, dated December 7, 1880,

Application filed October 27, 1880. (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, M. O. MGOOLLUM, of Espy, Columbia county, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Step-Ladders, of which the following is a specification.

My invention consists in constructing stepladders, in combination with a shelf attached, in such manner that the shelf will fold automatically into the ladder, and that the connecting devices shall not bite or look with the side bars of the main ladder or supportingframe, whether these latter have the same or difierent angles, thereby improving the utility, and, by means of the connecting devices, determining the spread and giving strength to the ladder, all of which will more fully appear by inspecting the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a vertical view of the ladder when in use, showing the locality of the shelf. Fig. 2 is the same view, showing the ladder partially closed, the shelf, and its connecting devices. Fig. 3 is a reversed view of the main ladder, showing the shoe, the shelf, and their connections. Fig. 4 is a detailed view, showing the shoe, the sockets, the shelf-frame, and their connections.

A, Fig. 1, is the main ladder, of which a a are the side bars, into which are framed the steps b b. B is the supporting-frame, consisting of the side bars, at d, which sustain the shelf D. The supporting-frame is pivoted to the top of the main ladder at d d by means of the metallic sockets G G.

To give this ladder sufficient stability and prevent its upsetting when burdened by the weight of a person or other or several weights, it should be constructed in nearly the following proportions: With length of side bars, a a d d, of twelve feet, the length of the upper stepor spread of the bars at the top should be about two feet, and the length of the ground step or spread of the bars at the foot about five feet, or for every twelve inches of elevation there should be a difference in length of the lower over the upper step of three inches. The supporting-frame and the main ladder may have the same or different angles.

D, Fig. 2, is a wooden shelf located near the top of the ladder, and extending backward sufficiently far to furnish standing room for a bucket, fruit-basket, or person. This shelf is mainly supported by the supporting-frame B by means of a frame constructed of an iron rod, E, Fig. 4, of such size as to give the required strength, of which the ends pass through the bars 61 d and are secured on the outside of the bars by nuts, but leaving it free to revolve, and a wooden bar, E, securely fastened to the center of the rod at right angles, upon which the shelf is riveted. The inner end of the bar E extends under one of the steps b or other support framed into the main ladder, and when the shelf is burdened by a weight such step or support is the resisting force. Should circumstances render greater strength necessary two bars, E E, may be laid, each equally removed from the center and sides, but the inner ends pivoted and the line of motion preserved, as described in the following paragraph.

F, Fig. 4, is a metallic shoe,of such dimensions as strength may require, centrally fastened to the under surface of one of the steps b or other support framed into the side bars, a a, for the special purpose, with two small metallic arms, ff, the inner ends of which are pivoted to lugs ff, on the top of the shoe, and the outer ends to either side of the wooden bar E, at ff, at such distance from the shoe as to permit the complete folding of the shelf into the ladder. When the ladder is open for use f f and the center of the rodE form a direct line.

G G, Fig. 4, are two metallic sockets provided with flanges, whereby the side bars of the main ladder are fastened to the under surface of the upper step, and the upper ends of the supporting-frame are pivoted equally to the upper step and to the main ladder. (Shown at d d.) Should it be desired to give the supporting-frame and main ladder difi'erent angles, a slight variation of the sides of the sockets from a straight line will fully effect this purpose without impairing the stability of the ladder.

When the ladder is to be closed up the joint f is slightly depressed, when the shelf automatically folds into it. When the ladder is opened the shelf automatically falls down to ICO position. the supporting-frame l3 and main ladder A, When folded. should correspond or close the one upon the other; hut should it be desirable, in order to give greater stability to the set of the ladder, that the foot of the supporting:- frame have a wider spread than that of the main ladder, or vice versa, and avoid friction. or the locking of the frame-work and connecting devices, my method of attaching the connecting devices is especially adapted to such requirement. Moreover, in case of breaking any of the connecting devices or bars repairing can be easily efl'ected hypersons not skilled in fitting nicely-related joints or other parts.

Asa rule it would he intended that l supporting-frame and main ladder for hang in clothes; but upon these no claim is made.

1 claim 1. The main ladder A, the supporting-frame B, the shelf 1), having the bar E and moving automatically, and the armsff, pivoted at f and f, in combination with shoe F, as and for the purposes specified.

.3. A step-ladder having a folding shelf, D, and the bar E, in combination with arms ff, attached to the tniddle part of the step b, for

; the purpose of preventing, the armsff from Various conveniences may be profitably atl tached to the ladder, as a soap-dish to the un- (ler surface of the upper step. to swing; in and I out as occasion requires; and a reel may he inserted into the top of the upper step, and rods run horizontally through the side bars of the locking against the side bars, a a, of the main ladder A, as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I atiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MATTHEW U. MGCOLLUM.

\Vituesses:

H. L. KLECKNER, H. t (Junvrzuxo.

a ultiu u with t t 

